Beer tastes different on the water. KaBrew strings together biking and kayaking between several Traverse City breweries, with a route map that keeps logistics simple. It is a fun break from the usual beer-and-restaurant circuit.

I like the way the day is built around movement: pedal, then paddle, then taste. I also like that you show up and get the big stuff handled for you, from the bike setup to the kayak kit, plus helmets and life jackets.

One thing to keep in mind: brewery tastings and any food are on you, and the water part is physical. There is also at least one spot where you may need to lift and drag your kayak around a dam, so wear shoes you trust.

KaBrew highlights you’ll plan around

• Bike-to-brewery flow that gets you between stops fast without a lot of figuring-out
• Kayak leg on the Boardman area, adding a different view than the sidewalk
• Included gear (bike, helmet, lock, plus kayak, paddle, life jacket) so you travel lighter
• A real brewery mix across Right Brain, The Filling Station, Rare Bird, and sometimes Silver Spruce
• Stop 5 is self-guided, so you can linger, snack, or change your order

Why KaBrew feels like an outdoor day, not a bar crawl

KaBrew is basically a brewery tour with an activity plan you can feel in your legs. Instead of hopping from one indoor stop to another, you bike from place to place, then switch to a kayak and enjoy the Boardman water route. That change in pace is what makes the day memorable.

Traverse City is a great place to do this because the brewery scene is spread out enough that riding matters. You do not spend half the time waiting around, and you do not have to rely on rideshare for every hop. The map and guided-style pacing help you stay on track without turning the trip into a scavenger hunt.

There is also a social factor. Groups naturally form around shared rides and shared stops, and the vibe is more active than a typical pub crawl. If you like craft beer but also want fresh air and motion, this tour fits that sweet spot.

Price and timing: what $79 buys you (and what it doesn’t)

The tour costs $79 per person and runs about 4 to 5 hours, starting at 12:00 pm. On average, it is booked around 63 days in advance, so if you are traveling in peak season, plan ahead.

For that price, you get the main equipment and the route support. The tour includes the bike gear (bike, helmet, lock) and the kayak gear (kayak, life jacket, paddle), plus tour information and a map. That is the practical value: you do not have to rent or carry gear, and you do not have to navigate every turn on your own.

What is not included is just as important. Alcoholic beverages are not included, and food is not included. Even when brewery tasting tickets are listed as free, the tasting fee is not included—so budget for drinks at each stop and consider where you want to pay for bites.

Meeting point reality: 1910 W South Airport Rd and the gear handoff

Your day starts and ends at 1910 W South Airport Rd, Traverse City, MI 49686. The tour uses a mobile ticket, so have it ready before you arrive. That helps reduce the usual early-day confusion of paper check-ins.

The biggest relief here is the setup. You are provided the gear and the safety essentials, including a helmet for biking and a life jacket for kayaking. You also get a lock for the bike, which matters because you’ll be leaving it at brewery stops.

In practice, what you want from a trip like this is clarity: when to ride, when to stop, and when to switch activities. The tour includes a map and instructions, and the self-guided portion includes suggested routes and a sample plan, so you are not standing around guessing what comes next.

If you are doing the self-guided version, you can also reach staff for help when it is time to swap from bike to kayak. That is a simple but valuable detail, because the switch is where people usually get stuck.

Stop 1 at Right Brain Brewery: the bike opener and a quick first taste

First stop is Right Brain Brewery. You bike from the start area to Happy Town and then on to Right Brain, with about 45 minutes there. The tasting fee is not included in the tour price, but the time to get your first beer is built in.

This first stop works well because it is early enough to set the mood. You’re fresh from the ride, the group is still together, and you can decide how much you want to taste versus pace yourself. Right Brain is a logical starting point because it is a chance to settle in before the more water-focused part later.

A practical tip: keep your gear situation simple. Tighten your straps, use the lock when you step inside, and keep your phone and wallet in an easy-to-reach place. Bike-to-brewery tours go smoothly when you do not waste time re-organizing.

Stop 2 at The Filling Station: flatbread time and an easy second ride

Next you ride to The Filling Station Microbrewery. Again, you get about 45 minutes, which gives you time for beer and food. A flat bread pizza option is available there, and it is known for being a hit, but nothing is included in the tour pricing.

This stop is a good checkpoint. After your first brewery, you can slow down, grab a meal, and refuel for the kayak portion. Since food is on your own dime, this is the easiest place in the day to make a smart choice: eat something you actually like, and do not skip it if you plan to be active again.

The ride from stop 1 to stop 2 is meant to keep the energy going. Reviews mention it as an easy bike portion with only a couple hills for some routes. That matters because a day that mixes biking and kayaking can feel like too much if the bike part is brutal. The structure here keeps things manageable.

Stop 3 at Rare Bird Brewpub: when the tour switches to water

Stop 3 is the pivot. Instead of biking, you kayak to Rare Bird Brewpub, located in the heart of Traverse City. You still have about 45 minutes there.

Switching to a kayak changes the rhythm fast. You trade pedal power for pacing on the water, and your effort feels different than biking. The upside is that the views and the motion give your brain a break. The downside is that you now rely on proper technique and balance, plus you need to be ready to handle the kayak physically around any obstacles.

If you are new to kayaking, this part is best approached with calm expectations. You do not need to be a pro, but you do need to be willing to do a bit of work and stay alert.

Rare Bird as a stop also adds a nice vibe shift. You’re still in “brew day” mode, but the route gets you there through the water instead of the usual street loop.

Stop 4 and the Medalie Park return: Silver Spruce and the endgame

After Rare Bird, Silver Spruce Brewing Company can be another stop before you head back up to where you started at Medalie Park. Like the other stops, the timing here is about 45 minutes.

This is a good place to think about your day as a whole. If you’ve already had a couple tastes, you might choose smaller pours here. If you skipped an earlier food stop, you could also consider grabbing a bite if the timing works.

The “potential” nature of the Silver Spruce stop matters for expectations. It suggests the day may flex depending on conditions and timing. That flexibility is useful, but it also means you should not plan your whole beer list around that one brewery being guaranteed.

Stop 5 on Boardman Lake and the river: freedom, routes, and one tough spot

Stop 5 is self-guided on Boardman Lake and the river. The idea is simple: you can explore at your own pace and pick your order. You’ll get suggested routes and a sample itinerary, but you’re not locked into a strict timeline for the full section.

This is the part that helps the tour feel personal. If you want more paddling time, you can likely give yourself that. If you want to stop, take photos, or just chill, you can do it without feeling like you’re sprinting to catch the next stop.

One caution from real-world experience: there can be a point where you have to lift and drag the kayak around a dam. The kayak can also feel heavy, especially if you are doing it in a busy, awkward spot. If you have back issues or you dislike portaging, that is the one moment you should be honest about.

Wear shoes that can handle wet surfaces, and plan to use your legs more than your arms. This is not a “float and relax” segment the way some casual lake paddles are. It is still fun, just a bit more physical than you might expect.

Guides like Johnny, John, Fisher, Marissa, and Scott make the day run

A big reason this tour works is people. The guides show up, explain what comes next, and help keep you from wasting time. I especially like that you can feel the local knowledge through practical decisions, not lectures.

For example, John is mentioned as leading groups and giving options on how to handle the day. Fisher appears in experiences that include rescheduling due to weather and managing all the logistics, including stops and the bike-and-kayak flow. Marissa is also credited with a fun, smooth experience that still feels well organized.

Scott, the owner, is mentioned as super friendly and helpful. When the person running the show is calm and present, it makes an active day feel safer and less stressful.

If you get a group with a friendly guide, you’ll likely feel more confident handling the switch between biking and paddling. If your group is smaller, you can often move at a comfortable pace and ask questions without feeling like you’re holding everyone up.

Breweries, tastings, and food: how to plan your spending

Beer and food are not bundled into the $79. Alcoholic beverages are not included, and food like lunch is not included. Also, tasting fees are not included even though certain admission entries are listed as free.

So how do you make this a good value day instead of an expensive one? Think like this: each stop is a timed opportunity to pay for what you actually want. You can choose one or two tastings per brewery rather than overspending at each location.

At The Filling Station, you have the easiest meal opportunity: flatbread pizza is available there. If you eat earlier, you will likely enjoy the kayak segment more because your body is not running on empty.

Also remember: the tour includes the big comfort and safety layer with the life jacket and helmet, so you can spend your money on what matters most—beer you truly want to drink.

Who should book KaBrew (and who might skip it)

KaBrew is a strong fit if you want a Traverse City brewery day that includes outdoor activity. It is great for active couples, friends on a girls trip, and bachelorette groups who want something different than a standard nightlife route. The bike portions and kayak portion feel like two separate adventures stitched together by beer stops.

It’s also a good pick if you do not want to manage rentals or navigate. The included gear plus map-and-instructions approach removes a lot of friction.

I would reconsider if you do not like portaging or heavy lifting. The kayak-drag around a dam is the key challenge. If you know you cannot handle that moment, pick a different style of tour. Also, plan for the fact that tastings and food will add to your total cost.

Finally, the tour is capped at 40 travelers, so it is not a massive bus crowd. That matters if you hate feeling packed in with strangers.

Should you book KaBrew?

Book KaBrew if you want craft beer with real outdoor time and you like the idea of biking between breweries and paddling the Boardman area. The included bike and kayak gear and the route support make it a practical choice, especially if you’d rather not plan equipment rentals.

Skip it or choose a different option if portaging is a deal-breaker for you, or if you’re trying to keep spending strictly to $79 with no extra costs for tastings and food. Also, because it requires good weather, you should be flexible—this is an activity-first day.

If your travel style is part adventure, part beer tasting, KaBrew is one of the better ways to do Traverse City in a half-day chunk.

FAQ

How much is the KaBrew kayak and brewery tour?

It costs $79.00 per person.

How long is the experience?

Plan on about 4 to 5 hours.

What’s included with the tour price?

You get a kayak, life jacket, and paddle, plus a bike, helmet, and lock. You also get knowledgeable tour information and a map.

What isn’t included in the price?

Alcoholic beverages are not included, and food like breakfast and lunch is not included.

Are brewery tastings included?

Brewery tasting fees are not included in the tour price.

Where do I meet, and when does it start?

The meeting point is 1910 W South Airport Rd, Traverse City, MI 49686. The tour starts at 12:00 pm and ends back at the meeting point.

How does the bike-to-kayak transition work?

You’ll follow the provided route and instructions as you move between stops, and you’ll switch from biking to kayaking as part of the tour flow. On self-guided days, staff can help with the exchange.

Do I get to explore the Boardman Lake and river part on my own?

Yes. Stop 5 is self-guided, and you can explore at your own pace and in any order you choose, using suggested routes and a sample itinerary.

What if the weather is bad or I need to cancel?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.